Section 23. Restrictions on use of vehicles, loud-speakers etc. .

(1) The State Election Commission may impose reasonable restrictions on the use of vehicles or loudspeakers or on displaying of cut outs, hoardings, posters and banners by any candidate or his duly authorized election agent during the period of election commencing from the date of publication of notification for election to a Municipality and ending on the date on which the whole process of election is completed. (2) If any candidate or his duly authorized election agent contravenes any of the restrictions imposed by the State Election Commission under sub-section (1), he shall, on conviction, be punishable with a fine which may extend to two thousand rupees. (3) Every person punished under sub-section (2) shall, by an order of the State Election Commission, be liable to be disqualified for being chosen as or for being a member of any Municipality for a period which may extend to six years from the date of such order: Provided that the State Election Commission may by a subsequent order, for reasons to be recorded, remove any disqualification under this section or reduce the period of any such disqualification. (4) No court shall take cognizance of an offence referred to in sub-section (2) except on the complaint made by an officer authorized in this behalf by any general or special order of the State Election Commission.